Author's Note: WOO-HOO! I just got the RENT Soundtrack and when I say that I mean all of it! I'll Cover You Reprise and everything! I'm so happy I just have to write! Yay! Wait…I'm listening to up beat songs like Rent, La Vie Boheme, and Today For You, but I'm writing sad angst stuff…this should be fun…

Disclaimer: I own not a notion. I escape an ape content. I don't own emotion I rent!

(Couldn't resist!)

Mark's POV (Same night, his room)

"Mark! God damn it! Open the fucking door!"

I sighed trying to ignore Collin and Roger's threatening voices from the other side of my door. They'd been trying to get me out for the last three hours. Did they really think I'd come out now? Even if I did come out, what would I do? I wasn't going to go out to the Life and I sure as hell wasn't going to go talk to Symphony, which this was obviously leading to.

There was no way I was going to even be in the same room as her for another month; it would be too awkward. Besides, I still don't totally know what was going on. Last I knew Sym had been on a date with Anthony and she'd ran back here. I'd ignored her stupidly, and she'd left. Sure, she'd seen upset, but it couldn't have been that bad. Could it?

"MARK!"

Oh shit. "What Maureen?" I groaned.

"OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!"

"Why? And can you please quite down? I have a huge headache." I rubbed my temples.

I heard Maureen pound on the door. "Sure whatever now open the door!"

I got up muttering about how why the hell I still lived here. I opened the door squinting at the light from the other side. "That wasn't quieter. Now what do you want? I'm busy mopping"

Roger and Collins shook their heads. "You're worse than I was after April," Roger said.

I flopped down on the bed. "So really what do you want?"

Maureen walked over hands on her hips and bent over me. "Do you remember when we broke up?"

I sighed. "How could I forget?" I closed my eyes. "Where is this going?"

Maureen scoffed. "Remember when I said you needed to keep looking? And a few months ago when I said you needed to stop being so numb? Now you're in love and you're ignoring it!"

I took a deep breath. "It's easier this way."

The drama-queen threw up her hands in disgust. "For who, Mark, for who?"

I faltered. "Uh…both of us?" It was wasn't it? If we didn't create all this drama we'd end up alright. Either way she'd be with Anthony and I…I'd have my camera? Would that be best? "At least her right?"

Roger stepped forward shaking his head. "No Mark. It's not. Think about it. Symphony was crushed when she came back. I talked to Mimi and apparently she ran home crying. She won't leave the loft and neither will you. Tell me Mark, how that helps either of you."

I frowned. "Why-why would she be crying? Anthony didn't hurt her did he? If he did---"

Roger put up his hands. "No Mark. She broke up with him. For you. She loves you too."

"That doesn't make any---" I froze. "Wait, what?" Roger didn't answer, but let his previous words set in. Symphony loved me back? At least, Roger thought so and, except when it came to his own, Roger usually knew what he was talking about when it came to this kind of thing. And Roger said Symphony loved him.

Saying it that way made it obvious: I had to talk to Symphony. But the question was now could I? Could I throw caution to the wind? Could I open up? Could I let someone else in?

And even then what would she do? Would she cry? I couldn't stand her crying. Would she listen or simply refuse to speak to me? So many woulds, so many what ifs? What would happen? There was only one way to find out.

I stood up and walked towards the door grabbing my camera on the way. Why I'm not sure, but it gave me some comfort. Roger stopped me and clapped his hand on my shoulder. "Way to go man."

I shook my head. "Don't congratulate me. I haven't gotten there yet."

I knocked quietly on the door praying Mimi would answer. To God's credit, she did. "Mark." She said. "You need to-"
"I know. I'm so stupid. I've messed everything up. I'm sorry." I shook my head.

Mimi's expression was full of sympathy. "I'm not the one who needs an apology."

I swallowed. "I know. I'm just…" I trailed off hoping she'd understand.

"I'll be right back. Stay here." I watched helplessly as she walked into her living room and knelt by the couch where I could see Symphony huddled. "Sym?" Mimi said quietly. "Someone wants to see you."

She looked up. Her eyes were red and her face was a little blotchy, yet she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. When she saw me she froze. "H-hey Mark. W-what's up?" Her voice cracked along with my heart. She looked so worn down, so beaten and abused. How had I done this?

I walked over and Mimi stood on the other side of Symphony where only I could see her. I shook my head, unsure where to start. I looked at Mimi over her shoulder. She mouthed the words 'I should tell you.'

I looked down at Symphony and cleared my throat. "Sym? I, uh, need to tell you something. We need to talk. Well, I need to talk. You did do anything wrong, it was me. I--and now I'm rambling." I looked away.

The silence was suffocating. What if she didn't accept my apology? Not to say that my first attempt was particularly any good, but what if she wouldn't listen? What would I do then? "Mark?"

I said nothing, afraid to trust my voice.

"Mark." She started again, seeming unsure on how to begin. "I-I want to know. Are you…mad at me for going with Anthony?"

"Mad?" I said. How could I be mad at her? She obviously has a thing for Anthony. I mean, of course I'd rather be with her than watch her fall in love with Mr. Perfect. "Mad?" I repeated almost stunned. "How could I be mad? You're in love. What's wrong with that?"

Symphony shook her head and scooted over. "Um…here. Sit. Mark, I don't love Anthony." I sat down shakily and set my camera by my feet.

"Oh," I said quietly. "So why—" I stopped. Was Roger actually right? No. She just didn't love Anthony. Well that was about halfway there though. I opened my mouth to speak again, but Symphony said something that left me speechless.

"I-I am in love though." She blushed and looked away.

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't move. I couldn't think. Symphony…just implied…wow. I coughed almost out of nervousness. "So, uh." I swallowed and smiled meekly.

Symphony smiled slightly. It was that cute little smile that gave her little dimples and made her eyes light up. "We're not getting anywhere are we?" She reached over and took my hand, all the while her eyes never leaving mine. For a moment we said nothing, but said in some-what uncomfortable silence.

I bent down, still looking at her, and picked up my camera, keeping her hand in mine. I silently flicked it on and began to record. "November 23, 4 AM, Eastern Standard Time, from here on in I shoot without out a script…but I'm in love and that's all that matters." With that I bent down and kissed her. It wasn't a deep kiss; I didn't want to scare her away after all she'd been through on the streets. It was simple and short, yet I put every ounce of passion I could into it.

When I pulled away I searched Symphony's eyes for some kind of reassurance. She looked slightly dazed, but I wasn't sure. I was about to get up and leave when Symphony finally spoke. "Well…it took you long enough."

I laughed and stood up. "Shall we?" I asked helping her up.

She grinned. "Someone's gotta tell them."

I looked to the spot where Mimi had been standing. She was gone Suddenly, I heard a load yelling coming from the loft next door. "I think someone already has."

Sym's POV (Mark/Roger's Loft, seconds later)

A chorus of 'Congratulations' and Finally' greeted Mark and I the second we opened the door. Roger walked over and slung his arm over Mark's shoulder. "You owe me thirty bucks."

Mark frowned. "Why?"

Mimi walked over along with Collins. "Yeah, Roger. We weren't betting money." She said.
The musician laughed. "Yeah, but Collins and I were."

Mark hit him lightly. "You took bets on Sym and I getting together? And you chose no?"

Roger shook his head. "No, I took bets on you making the first move, twice. I lost, twice. Therefore, you owe me thirty bucks."

The filmmaker raised an eyebrow. "Since when am I made of money?" We all laughed.

Slipping away from Mark I found Maureen, Joanne, and Angel sitting on the couch. I sat by them. Angel smiled. "I'm so happy for you!" We hugged.

"Took you guys long enough!" Maureen said, but she was smiling.

Joanne looked at her. "Pookie, be happy for them. Mark's not alone anymore!"

Maureen laughed. "Maybe now he'll stop narrating other people's lives and live his." Joanne shook her head, but smiled anyway.

The boys came over with Mimi and Collins said, "Finally, we got you together." Everyone laughed, but Mark and I; we blushed.

Maureen shook her head. "The real problem will be meeting his parents, trust me."

Mark scoffed. "Hey! My parents are---oh yeah. You're right." Mark frowned. "Shit, how are we going to do this."

"Maybe you could move to Africa," The Drama-queen offered. Mark glared at her. "What," she said. "You'd fit in with the monkeys!"

Joanne stopped her. "Okay Maureen, that's enough."

I laughed. "So you guys had this planned for how long?"

"When Mark kept staring at you at the Life." Mimi said. "But you made it so difficult. I guess all's well that ends well." She shrugged.

The group all voice their approvals and for the first time ever I felt like I belonged somewhere. I had friends, family, and, best of all, I had Mark.

Author's Note: Okay, so it's really sappy and clique, but it's some of my better versions of this chapter. I can't decide if I want to make a last chapter where Symphony meets the Cohens or leave it like this. I'm sad to end it, but I don't want to ruin it by adding another chapter. Any opinions are welcome! Thanks to all who read! And yes, I know that when Mark was narrating that it wasn't the right day of time for Voicemail Number 1, I know that whole thing by heart! Thanks again to readers! I love you all! Ce la vie!